Synology DiskStation DS220+ Upgrade Guide: RAM, Storage and CPU

Updated Oct. 31, 2026 · Written from this device's verified specifications

The DS220+ is a compact two-bay NAS, and it is more upgradeable than it looks in one respect and less in others. You can add a memory module and swap in bigger or faster SATA drives, but the processor is soldered in place and the machine has no expansion options beyond its two bays. Here is what fits, what the limits are, and what to watch out for before you buy parts.

At a glance

  • Add a DDR4 SO-DIMM for a maximum of 6 GB total (2 GB is soldered)
  • Two hot-swap SATA bays for 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch HDDs and SSDs
  • No M.2 cache slot, no eSATA port, no expansion unit support
  • The Intel Celeron J4025 is soldered - there is no CPU upgrade path
1x DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM (2 GB soldered)DDR4 SO-DIMM · 2 GB soldered · up to 6 GB total · 2666 MT/s
2x SATA hot-swap bays (3.5" / 2.5")2 × SSD / HDD SO-DIMM (SATA) · up to 32 TB
1 × SO-DIMM · DDR4up to 6 GB total2x SATA hot-swap bays (3.5" / 2.5")2 × SSD / HDD SO-DIMM (SATA) · up to 32 TB
Schematic of the upgradeable slots (not to scale). Check the owner's manual for their exact positions.

Lifecycle and support

No longer sold new. The manufacturer hasn't published an end-of-support date.

20202021202220232024202520262027Today11 · Release · June 202022 · End of sale · Aug. 31, 2024
Filled dots: dates published by the manufacturer. Hollow dots: estimates from third-party sources.
MilestoneDate
Release
First available to buy.		 June 2020 Estimate Synology announced the Plus 20-series (including DS220+) in June 2020; the news article does not state an exact on-sale date.
Source ↗
End of sale
No longer sold new by the manufacturer (Dell calls this 'End of Life', Lenovo 'Withdrawn').		 Aug. 31, 2024 Estimate Synology's product status page lists the DS220+ Phase Out / end-of-sale date. Model-specific page is the source; exact date must be read from that page.
Source ↗

Dates not listed haven't been published by the manufacturer or a reliable third party.

RAM: one SO-DIMM slot, 6 GB total

The DS220+ comes with 2 GB of DDR4 non-ECC memory soldered to the board. That memory cannot be removed or replaced. There is one extra slot, a 260-pin DDR4 non-ECC unbuffered SO-DIMM, which sits on the inner right side of the chassis behind the drive trays. Synology's own module is the D4NESO-2666-4G, a 4 GB DDR4-2666 stick, giving you 2 + 4 = 6 GB in total.

Buying tips

  • A single 4 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM is the sensible purchase - it takes the machine to the validated 6 GB ceiling
  • DDR4 non-ECC unbuffered only; ECC and registered memory are not supported
  • Buying faster memory gains you nothing: modules run at the maximum frequency the CPU supports, not their rated speed
  • If keeping full warranty and support matters to you, use Synology's D4NESO-2666-4G

Cheapest compatible right now

See all compatible parts and prices →

Storage: two SATA bays, no cache, no expansion unit

Both bays take Type D7 trays and accept 3.5-inch SATA HDDs, 2.5-inch SATA HDDs or 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, and both are hot-swappable. No thickness limit for 2.5-inch drives is documented in Synology's spec sheet or installation guide. Two things the DS220+ does not have, unlike the bigger models in the range: there is no M.2 slot, so you cannot add an SSD cache, and there is no eSATA port, so a DX517 expansion unit will not work. Plan your capacity around the two bays.

Buying tips

  • For a faster NAS, 2.5-inch SATA SSDs drop straight into the trays; for capacity, use the largest supported HDDs
  • Check Synology's online compatibility list before buying drives - actual support follows that list, not the box specs
  • Synology's HAT5300, HAT3300 and SAT5210 drives are the vendor-blessed options
  • Capacity figures disagree: the 2020 launch documentation quotes 32 TB raw (2 x 16 TB HDDs), while the spec sheet lists a 108 TB maximum single volume - treat 32 TB as the launch-era figure and the compatibility list as the real-world guide

How to upgrade

Before you start

  • Back up your data first. An upgrade is the moment a drive or a volume is most at risk.
  • Power off the NAS properly through DSM and unplug the power cable and network lead before opening anything. The memory module is not hot-serviceable, even though the drives are.
  • Ground yourself - discharge static on a metal surface and handle parts by their edges rather than the chips or connectors.
  • Open the case as described in Synology's Hardware Installation Guide for the DS220+. That guide covers the exact disassembly; follow it rather than guessing. For memory, you need to remove the drive trays to reach the slot on the inner right side.
  • Install the part: seat the SO-DIMM firmly at an angle and press it flat until the side latches click, or slide a drive into its Type D7 tray and refit the tray.
  • Close the case and reconnect the power.
  • Start the NAS and check that the firmware reports the new part: DSM's Resource Monitor shows memory, and Storage Manager should list the new drives with their full capacity. If a drive or module is missing, power down and reseat it.

Steps

  1. Back up
    Copy anything irreplaceable off the NAS and verify the copy. A memory or drive change can go wrong, and the fix is usually a restore.
  2. Power down and unplug
    Shut the NAS down from DSM, then disconnect the power and network cables. Wait a moment before touching the internals.
  3. Ground yourself and open up
    Discharge static, then open the chassis using the Hardware Installation Guide. To reach the RAM slot you must pull the drive trays out first; hold the module by its edges.
  4. Install the part
    Fit the SO-DIMM in the slot or mount a drive in a Type D7 tray and insert the tray. Don't force anything - if it resists, recheck the orientation.
  5. Close up and check
    Reassemble, power on, and confirm the firmware sees the upgrade in DSM. Then run any planned drive or volume setup through Storage Manager.

Good to know

  • The DS220+ is limited to two bays. If you expect to outgrow it, drive size - not expansion hardware - is the only lever you have.
  • Memory capacity figures from third-party vendors are not validated by Synology and may be wrong.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM can the Synology DiskStation DS220+ take?

6 GB in total: 2 GB is soldered to the board and cannot be changed, and the single SO-DIMM slot accepts a 4 GB module. That is Synology's validated maximum. Kingston's page claims configurations up to 8 GB and community reports suggest larger modules may sometimes boot, but those are unofficial and the Kingston figures are internally inconsistent - its page also misstates the soldered base memory. We would stick with 6 GB.

Does the DS220+ support an M.2 NVMe SSD cache?

No. There is no M.2 slot of any kind in the DS220+, so SSD caching is not available. Only the larger models in the range, such as the DS720+ and DS920+, have dedicated cache slots.

Can I upgrade the CPU?

No. The Intel Celeron J4025 is soldered to the mainboard (BGA, no socket). There is no supported upgrade path, and the shipped processor is the only one this model will ever run.

Does the DS220+ support ECC memory?

No. It requires DDR4 non-ECC unbuffered memory. There is no ECC option for this platform.

Can I connect a DX517 expansion unit for more drive bays?

No. The DS220+ has no eSATA expansion port - only two USB 3.0 ports - so expansion units are not supported. Capacity has to come from the two internal bays.

Will third-party RAM void my warranty?

Synology states it may not provide complete warranty or technical support if non-Synology memory is used. Third-party DDR4 SO-DIMMs generally work fine, but if full support matters to you, use Synology's D4NESO-2666-4G module.

Official documents and references

This guide was written with AI assistance from the compatibility data PartsPrices verified against the manufacturer's documents. Always check your exact model and the owner's manual before buying or opening your computer.